I got a chance to drive the car again thanks to C3PO33 who has beautiful silver/black G35. I noticed that in manual mode, if you don't upshift the tranny by ~3000rpm, it will upshift for you. I thought you would be allowed to rev the engine a lot more before the computer shifted for you. I thought the obligatory shifting kinda took the fun out of the manu-matic. Any of you notice this??.
my car holds the rpm's till I shift, trust me I forgot to once and I heard it. If what you are saying is true you would never be able to redline it, and that is not the case with my car
Give it some time, they were very sensitive in the beginning and now they are fine. Could be you haven't been stuck in traffic at all and they haven't softened up. Right before you come to that final stop try easing up on the peddle a touch.
I'm just getting used to my brakes too with almost 400 miles on it. They are very sensitive but once your used to them they are great. Makes you think you can stop on a dime!
"I work for an Infiniti Dealer in Texas. I just got out of a meeting with our owner who returned from a dealer meeting in Las Vegas.
The G35 Coupe will have approx. 280 HP and the tail lights will remain the same as the sedan. Dual exhaust tips and muscular body lines are how he described it. Look for it in late Oct."
The question was does anyone still have one, I have an amazing set of wheels and tires for it. Am not trying to sell themm here because that is not allowed,so hey, maybe I will give them away.
Gabman and cp3o33-thanks for response. I do ease up on the brake when stopping, but they're still sensitive enough in the auto mode to cause a bit of a minor jerk back. Thought I might have done something to them in my evasive maneveurs during a rain storm a couple of days ago. After seeing your messages, I think I just need to break them in a little more. You're right about one thing tho, the brakes work great in stopping power (nice size discs). Thanks!
we have a 95maxima GXE with 210,000kms (original battery since June 94 and runs like a horse...well, 190 horses).
But, unfortunatly/fortunatly it will be replaced by the G35.
its really hard letting that car go, its been so good all through out. but on the other hand, the G35 is a better car in every aspect (mainly the independent suspension and the extra 0.5L to the VQ that originated in the maxima).
I have test driven the G35 twice now. One on an over cast day and once at night. With overcast the skies the instrument panel was stellar. At night it was also stellar. But I was getting a horrible reflection on the winshield. Has anyone else seen this? Also how does the panel display in bright sun? Is it washed out?
Funny thing because I couldn't get the engine to rev to even close to redline, c3po33 was there with me. The only thing I can think of is that the tranny didn't really click into manual mode. Then again, I was able to downshift, but it was upshifting by itself at around ~3000rpm. Really weird
I'm glad I'm not the *only* one who thought they feel good, but 'touchy'. Granted, I'm from the old beast school of power brakes emmitting a 'whoosh' when you really get on 'em.
Anyone who had one, or who *knows*, does the memory seating include the mirror positions (for the outside mirrors, of course). They're awfully small, and once positioned *just right* are likely to be trouble getting them just right, again. Well, except over a couple of days....
Sorry, no bike pics, really. There are some, around somewhere, but we moved a few months ago, and anything which was too heavy to move with one arm, got stuck in the back of the storage room. Pictures, and stacks of computer/financial books count in this, too. Now, the three pinball machines, and the Terminator 2 arcade game, those are safely up in the dining room. ;-)
Say, is there a Canadian here who knows if you can get a US-style prem. pkg., moonroof, sport susp., and nav. system all on one car? I ask, as, given my trade escaped the falling blade, I might just shoot up to Vancouver, BC, and live with kilometers. Oooh, yeah, does the nav. system also use metric? Ack, *that* would be a problem (for me, at least).
>> Say, is there a Canadian here who knows if you can get a US-style prem. pkg., moonroof, sport susp., and nav. system all on one car? <<
Yes, ask for a Luxury with Premium pkg, Aero pkg, and Nav pkg. That's fully loaded. You will also get the Winter pkg (std on all Canadian models) and the rear spoiler (comes with the Aero pkg).
Here are all the details: The "Luxury" model in Canada is actually the equivalent of the US "Luxury Leather" model, but with these extras included too: Winter pkg, Bose, Xenon headlights, Homelink, auto headlights, auto dim mirror, and full size spare. These option packages are available: - Premium package includes Driver's seat memory, 4-way power passenger seat, reclining rear seats with adjustable head restraints, dual-zone climate control, microfilter, rear vents, and one-touch windows. - Aero package includes Sport tuned suspension, 17" 5-spoke wheels, high-performance tires, titanium tinted trim, rear spoiler, and rear underbody diffusers. - Navigation package includes NAV system and trip computer.
What you won't find at this time are any Vancouver dealers willing to sell a G35 to you as a US resident. Infiniti has them so nervous right now you'd have better luck buying their red-headed dancer daughter :-)
You are right about the glare on the windsheild at night, it originaly drove me crazy. There is a dimmer switch located on the left bottom side near your left knee if I remember the location right, this will let you dim all the gauges to your desired setting and thus eliminate any glare.
The funny thing is once I found it and set it I really liked the gauges lit up to the max so I got used to the glare and now it dosen't bother me.
Mirrors do not set with the memory buttons and truthfully in this day and age I am aggrivated that they don't. As it is still winter here I can't wash the car myself so I take it to the Hand Wash guy and they always move my side mirrors when drying them and it takes forever to reset them, It is like I said on some previous posts, Infiniti aren't dumb , they are saving these minor irritations for next years model so they can say that there are changes from 2003 model to 2004 and perhaps get more dollars.
Keep in mind because this is a brand new car, do not look for any significant body changes for a few years. By omitting these stupid inconveniences this allows for changes for comming model years.
Not as simple as driving to Vancouver and living with kilometers. U.S. EPA and DOT regulations state that ODOMETER and Speedomoter must be converted to miles before you can get tags for the car. The speedometer is no problem as it is in both KMS/Miles, KMS being the bigger numbers on the gauge buth this is ok, no conversion required.
The odomometer however must be re- calibrated to count in miles instead of kilometes. It is digital so one would have to find out how to re-calibrate it, don't count on Infiniti for any help in this , but I am sure it is possible to have done and not at any major cost.
Duty will be 2.6% of the purchase price, but the question is where to buy one. Only way to do it is to have a seperate Canadian company buy the car from Infiniti so that they can recover the sales tax paid. Then this company would have to resell you the car in the USA in order to avoid having to charge you the sales tax.
Anyways I have been all over this topic a few weeks back so if you care you can look back
The odometer does not have to be changed. Common misconception because all the dealers buying cars from Canada by the truckload have them changed. Seventy of us who bought new Nissans or Infinitis in the last year have had no problems with registration on km vehicles. However, if you want to change it there are some great places to get the odo changed in Vancouver and Toronto, or even back in the US like Seattle.
Duty is 4.0% on the first $1000, and 2.5% on the balance. Any US resident can get the GST and PST sales taxes refunded if they bring the vehicle into the US. BC won't even charge you the PST in the first place. No need for a broker.
But as I said, with the famous Infiniti letter of Mar 4th, you will no longer find a dealer willing to sell to you directly. And they will no longer honor the warranty in the US. Yes, we are all bummed big time.
Having watched these boards when buying other vehicles, some of the best info I have been able to get before buying is the price that people are paying or the lease deals they are getting. Info on the G35 deals is much less available than in the past. Would love to start seeing that info as folks announce they have bought the car. Thanks.
Well, I told the wife that might post some pictures from our dinner in the city, and after much explaining and haggling I now have the go ahead to post ONE picture of our dinner group that passes her approval. This and of course the permission of our dinner partners.
For all you husbands out there that know the "look", she gave that to me in spades when I first innocently mentioned that I talked about our dinner invitation on the G35 message board
Ok, now to it...
My odometer reads 904 miles now, and I can say without hesitation that the car feels to me that it pulls as hard and the steering is as tight as when I drove the car off the lot. My thinking is that perhaps as the car is close to complete break-in it is actually pulling with a bit more power as I would assume that after almost 1000 miles of driving it one would start to get "used" to the feeling of its acceleration, and for it to seem like it had the same feeling of exhiliration, it would actually have to pull a bit stronger than it did originally
Everyone knows what the G35's strengths continue to be, but here is just a short list of the things that I've been thinking about now that I am starting to settle in a bit more with the car.
The mirrors seem a tad too small; this is extremely minor and they are more than adequate for safety and what they need to do. I'm thinking that my feeling is based solely on the size of the 4-Runner "truck" mirrors I used to look thru
If the seat "tilt" adjustment tilted just a hair more forward, it would be absolutely perfect! It is a comfortable position for certain, but at times the front "edge" of the seat seems to be a slight pressure point under the thigh. Again, extremely minor.
This is just an observation, but I am guessing that the G35's aerodynamics are optimized and tuned for speeds actually higher than normal freeway cruising speed. I noticed that the level of discernable wind noise actually went down DRAMATICALLY at speed in excess of 90 mph. Below this speed much of the apparent wind noise appears to emminate from the wiper blades. Perhaps the laminar flow of air is different enough at 90+ that the pressure point at the base of the windshield enlarges and causes high speed air to flow farther from the wiper blades.
The Xenon headlight aiming still seems just a TAD low to me... They are still extremely bright, but I think that the potential for seeing MUCH farther down the road is still there if adjusting their aiming is a do it yourself option. I mean, when I am driving in excess of 90mph at night to reduce wind noise I need to see out as far as I possible can *laughing* Honest Officer! it was the wind noise! Honest!
I really really wish that they had made the manumatic upshift by pulling the stick towards you. I've just about got the operation of it instinctive, but during a few full throttle starts, I felt a bit like Tom Cruise in Top Gun unable to reach the ejection handle because of the g-forces of the flat spin I wonder if transmission computer chip modification in the future will allow the reversing of the shifting method used now? This one is another minor quibble.
I think a little more light on the clock would help at night, it can sometimes be a bit hard to see at a quick glance. I think that it may be because your eyes are used to picking out the brightly lit LED readouts and then as you look at the clock your mind might be wanting to see that same level of contrast. When it's not there as in the clock face at night, you have to stare a bit longer to adjust. Then for a fraction of a second the LED reaouts are too bright *laughing*
That's honestly all I can think of right now as far as negatives after almost 1000 miles of driving, and all of them are essentially non-issues when compared to the stellar capabilities of this auto...
If I can think of anything else I will let you all know...
On the test drives I have been on the G35 has been great. Driving a rear wheel drive vehicle like this is incredible.
My only concern is that I live in Pittsburgh PA and we do get snow. Does anyone know how this car does on some slick surfaces. I dont mind putting winter tires on at all.
On the Xenon issue, try the fog lights, they really do make a huge difference, plus they seem to point higher up. Have your lovely wife turn them on for you at night (no not you , the fog lights). you will see the difference
Am surprised by your statements about odometers as I am in the business of getting cars into the USA. I work closely with DOT and EPA and there are prerequisite that have to be complied with prior to import. The odometer being one of them.
Took my G out for a spin over lunch and can confirm that in manual the car does not shift by itself, RPM"S were WAY up there and the engine was growling big time. RE - checked every gear and only when I shifted did the gear change.
Suggest you take another test drive and you will see for yourself
I have made a number of posts this week about winter driving in the G. We have had a total of 10" of snow here this week. Up until yesterday it was a wet heavy snow, last night the temperature dropped to around 14 degrees farenheit so this morning we were in full winter conditions.
The car behaved amazingly considering I have 17" all seasons on . I am planning to put 16" winters on for next year but now that I have had a chance to see the performance I may rethink this and try for 17" winters.
I will put winters on as this way my all seasons should last the life of my lease 36 months.
The traction control is very sensitive if your wheels spin. During the storms we had I drove in manual mode and this was perfect, plus the down shifting helped alot.
I was worried comming out of an SUV but the G came thru , was even better than my suv in 2 wheel drive
Have been reading and learning - very informative - considering G35 vs TL-S and 2001 used 525/530 - what are dealers using as residual value % on G35 since it has no history (perhaps likely to be higher than other infiniti models?)
I went to the dealership last weekend. They had a fully loaded Black G35 in the showroom. This G35 had a nice set of 18" wheels with 225/45/18.
Here are the pictures. (Look at the last 3 pictures for the wheels). Sorry for the blurry pictures of the wheels. I forgot to change the setting. The other pictures are the ones I took at the LA Auto Show.
Yes, I'm certain of it. Speedometer - yes. Odometer - no. I'm sure you use RI's for most of the importing. But those of us who have bought in Canada did the paperwork ourselves. Nissan/Infiniti will issue you a complicance letter that you show at Customs. It's in print: "This vehicle complies with all US DOT and EPA requirements except for minor labeling".
The DOT has all their specs spelled out on their web site. Lots of information for RI's too, including a "newsletter". I realize that you are an expert, and I'm just the amatuer, but I even called once to check. Maybe the RI's just all want it done that way.
im curious...did you switch into manual mode while stopped...???...when you do that it shows that you are in 4th gear...is there any possibility that after you switched into manual that because the car would have trouble starting in 4th gear that it automatically starts in 1st (even though it shows 4th) and then shifts through the gears like it was still in automatic...???...its the only explanation i can think of and it still doesnt make much sense...
Good question about the residuals. I am still trying to find that out from my dealer. He didnt show me the first day I went in. He is supposed to send me a fax with the full breakdowns including residuals. But he hasnt come through. I should know this weekend though. Ill post as soon as I do
Yes, I switched to manual mode while I was stopped and it showed 4th... when I accelerated it then started switching gears by itself like if it was in auto mode although it was in manual. That might just be it!.
what you are saying makes sense, I would guess that's what happened to speedracer, also he said gears changed at 3000rpms and for me it was more like 3500 rpm's 3-4 & 4-5
Infiniti dealer here in Cleveland gave me the following lease information; 39 months/39K miles/0.00265 money factor/57% residual, and 48 months/48K miles/0.00265 money factor/52% residual. The money factor's not great (equates to about 6.4% interest), but the residuals are good (probably about as good as BMW 3'ers or Acura TL/TL-S). Hope that helps.
The gears switched around 3000rpm plus or minus. could have been 3500, but nowhere near red line. The point is that the car was behaving like an automatic while it was in manual mode.
I test drove a G35 a few days ago and I noticed that when the salesman was giving me a demo ride and also when I drove, there was a pause when shifting manually at or near redline...almost like the car went into neutral for a half second or so...anyone else experience this?
I test drove the G35 once. Need to drive it some more--but first drive was great--really nice car--fast, good handling and solid feel. I am also looking at pre-owned BMW 525/530. Anyone have any input on BMW vs G35?
While driving the demo car, I tried to shift at redline while in manual mode. The throttle actually eased off before I got there. The computer would not allow the car to go into redline while in manual. I tried it twice and both times the throttle backed off. The salesman mentioned that it is a safety feature to prevent engine damage. So, you shift before the engine redlines.
And of course, after getting my car, no way am I taking it to redline yet!
Comments
Nice meeting you c3po33...great car!
Speed
Supposedly the G35 coupe will be introduced there as well.
Makes you think you can stop on a dime!
G35 Coupe Update
"I work for an Infiniti Dealer in Texas. I just got out of a meeting with our owner who returned from a dealer meeting in Las Vegas.
The G35 Coupe will have approx. 280 HP and the tail lights will remain the same as the sedan. Dual exhaust tips and muscular body lines are how he described it. Look for it in late Oct."
Am not trying to sell themm here because that is not allowed,so hey, maybe I will give them away.
G35@attbi.com
But, unfortunatly/fortunatly it will be replaced by the G35.
its really hard letting that car go, its been so good all through out. but on the other hand, the G35 is a better car in every aspect (mainly the independent suspension and the extra 0.5L to the VQ that originated in the maxima).
Funny thing because I couldn't get the engine to rev to even close to redline, c3po33 was there with me. The only thing I can think of is that the tranny didn't really click into manual mode. Then again, I was able to downshift, but it was upshifting by itself at around ~3000rpm. Really weird
Anyone who had one, or who *knows*, does the memory seating include the mirror positions (for the outside mirrors, of course). They're awfully small, and once positioned *just right* are likely to be trouble getting them just right, again. Well, except over a couple of days....
Sorry, no bike pics, really. There are some, around somewhere, but we moved a few months ago, and anything which was too heavy to move with one arm, got stuck in the back of the storage room. Pictures, and stacks of computer/financial books count in this, too. Now, the three pinball machines, and the Terminator 2 arcade game, those are safely up in the dining room. ;-)
Say, is there a Canadian here who knows if you can get a US-style prem. pkg., moonroof, sport susp., and nav. system all on one car? I ask, as, given my trade escaped the falling blade, I might just shoot up to Vancouver, BC, and live with kilometers. Oooh, yeah, does the nav. system also use metric? Ack, *that* would be a problem (for me, at least).
Thanks!!
G35Mann
You may be able to run them on ebay and get good results.
Take care.
Joe W.
Yes, ask for a Luxury with Premium pkg, Aero pkg, and Nav pkg. That's fully loaded. You will also get the Winter pkg (std on all Canadian models) and the rear spoiler (comes with the Aero pkg).
Here are all the details:
The "Luxury" model in Canada is actually the equivalent of the US "Luxury Leather" model, but with these extras included too: Winter pkg, Bose, Xenon headlights, Homelink, auto headlights, auto dim mirror, and full size spare.
These option packages are available:
- Premium package includes Driver's seat memory, 4-way power passenger seat, reclining rear seats with adjustable head restraints, dual-zone climate control, microfilter, rear vents, and one-touch windows.
- Aero package includes Sport tuned suspension, 17" 5-spoke wheels, high-performance tires, titanium tinted trim, rear spoiler, and rear underbody diffusers.
- Navigation package includes NAV system and trip computer.
What you won't find at this time are any Vancouver dealers willing to sell a G35 to you as a US resident. Infiniti has them so nervous right now you'd have better luck buying their red-headed dancer daughter :-)
-Jon
The funny thing is once I found it and set it I really liked the gauges lit up to the max so I got used to the glare and now it dosen't bother me.
Keep in mind because this is a brand new car, do not look for any significant body changes for a few years. By omitting these stupid inconveniences this allows for changes for comming model years.
The odomometer however must be re- calibrated to count in miles instead of kilometes. It is digital so one would have to find out how to re-calibrate it, don't count on Infiniti for any help in this , but I am sure it is possible to have done and not at any major cost.
Duty will be 2.6% of the purchase price, but the question is where to buy one. Only way to do it is to have a seperate Canadian company buy the car from Infiniti so that they can recover the sales tax paid. Then this company would have to resell you the car in the USA in order to avoid having to charge you the sales tax.
Anyways I have been all over this topic a few weeks back so if you care you can look back
Duty is 4.0% on the first $1000, and 2.5% on the balance. Any US resident can get the GST and PST sales taxes refunded if they bring the vehicle into the US. BC won't even charge you the PST in the first place. No need for a broker.
But as I said, with the famous Infiniti letter of Mar 4th, you will no longer find a dealer willing to sell to you directly. And they will no longer honor the warranty in the US. Yes, we are all bummed big time.
-Jon
For all you husbands out there that know the "look", she gave that to me in spades when I first innocently mentioned that I talked about our dinner invitation on the G35 message board
Ok, now to it...
My odometer reads 904 miles now, and I can say without hesitation that the car feels to me that it pulls as hard and the steering is as tight as when I drove the car off the lot. My thinking is that perhaps as the car is close to complete break-in it is actually pulling with a bit more power as I would assume that after almost 1000 miles of driving it one would start to get "used" to the feeling of its acceleration, and for it to seem like it had the same feeling of exhiliration, it would actually have to pull a bit stronger than it did originally
Everyone knows what the G35's strengths continue to be, but here is just a short list of the things that I've been thinking about now that I am starting to settle in a bit more with the car.
The mirrors seem a tad too small; this is extremely minor and they are more than adequate for safety and what they need to do. I'm thinking that my feeling is based solely on the size of the 4-Runner "truck" mirrors I used to look thru
If the seat "tilt" adjustment tilted just a hair more forward, it would be absolutely perfect! It is a comfortable position for certain, but at times the front "edge" of the seat seems to be a slight pressure point under the thigh. Again, extremely minor.
This is just an observation, but I am guessing that the G35's aerodynamics are optimized and tuned for speeds actually higher than normal freeway cruising speed. I noticed that the level of discernable wind noise actually went down DRAMATICALLY at speed in excess of 90 mph. Below this speed much of the apparent wind noise appears to emminate from the wiper blades. Perhaps the laminar flow of air is different enough at 90+ that the pressure point at the base of the windshield enlarges and causes high speed air to flow farther from the wiper blades.
The Xenon headlight aiming still seems just a TAD low to me... They are still extremely bright, but I think that the potential for seeing MUCH farther down the road is still there if adjusting their aiming is a do it yourself option. I mean, when I am driving in excess of 90mph at night to reduce wind noise I need to see out as far as I possible can *laughing* Honest Officer! it was the wind noise! Honest!
I really really wish that they had made the manumatic upshift by pulling the stick towards you. I've just about got the operation of it instinctive, but during a few full throttle starts, I felt a bit like Tom Cruise in Top Gun unable to reach the ejection handle because of the g-forces of the flat spin
I think a little more light on the clock would help at night, it can sometimes be a bit hard to see at a quick glance. I think that it may be because your eyes are used to picking out the brightly lit LED readouts and then as you look at the clock your mind might be wanting to see that same level of contrast. When it's not there as in the clock face at night, you have to stare a bit longer to adjust. Then for a fraction of a second the LED reaouts are too bright *laughing*
That's honestly all I can think of right now as far as negatives after almost 1000 miles of driving, and all of them are essentially non-issues when compared to the stellar capabilities of this auto...
If I can think of anything else I will let you all know...
Thanks!
Faenor/Dane4
My only concern is that I live in Pittsburgh PA and we do get snow. Does anyone know how this car does on some slick surfaces. I dont mind putting winter tires on at all.
Suggest you take another test drive and you will see for yourself
The car behaved amazingly considering I have 17" all seasons on . I am planning to put 16" winters on for next year but now that I have had a chance to see the performance I may rethink this and try for 17" winters.
I will put winters on as this way my all seasons should last the life of my lease 36 months.
The traction control is very sensitive if your wheels spin. During the storms we had I drove in manual mode and this was perfect, plus the down shifting helped alot.
I was worried comming out of an SUV but the G came thru , was even better than my suv in 2 wheel drive
Have been reading and learning - very informative - considering G35 vs TL-S and 2001 used 525/530 - what are dealers using as residual value % on G35 since it has no history (perhaps likely to be higher than other infiniti models?)
Here are the pictures. (Look at the last 3 pictures for the wheels). Sorry for the blurry pictures of the wheels. I forgot to change the setting. The other pictures are the ones I took at the LA Auto Show.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/marketbuy2002/lst?.dir=/Cars&.view=t
Have you been able to duplicate what I spoke about, where your car shifted by itself at around ~3000rpm in manual mode??.
The DOT has all their specs spelled out on their web site. Lots of information for RI's too, including a "newsletter". I realize that you are an expert, and I'm just the amatuer, but I even called once to check. Maybe the RI's just all want it done that way.
-Jon
I should know this weekend though. Ill post as soon as I do
Ken
And of course, after getting my car, no way am I taking it to redline yet!